Friday, November 2, 2012

Sinus Congestion / Pain After Drinking Alcohol

Couple of days ago I was talking to one friend of mine (ENT
surgeon, too) who was complaining that whenever he consumes alcohol he feels
sinus pain. When I asked if this may be a simple headache he told me: “Look, I
am quite sure it is a sinus pressure. I have deviated septum and breathing
problems, and after any alcohol drinking I just feel increased congestion and
mucosal swelling inside my nose”…

So, what is the cause of his symptoms? It is condition
called alcohol intolerance and it is caused by a genetic condition in which the
body is unable to break down alcohol. Alcohol intolerance consists of
immediate, unpleasant reactions after you consume alcohol. In some cases – what
you think to be alcohol intolerance may be caused by a reaction to something
else in certain alcoholic beverages (especially in beer or wine), such as
chemicals, grains, or preservatives like sulfur dioxide. The most common
symptoms caused by alcohol intolerance include nasal congestion and flushing
skin!

Furthermore, certain alcoholic beverages (primarily
wine!) can contain histamine – a byproduct of fermentation or brewing.
Histamine is a naturally occurring compound in the body that helps the immune
system fights off harmful substances. However - too much histamine in soft
tissues (such as mucosa of the sinuses) can lead to inflammation and
irritation. Naturally, sinuses are connected to the nasal cavities by narrow
channels called the osteomeatal complex. These channels allow spontaneous
drainage of mucous from sinuses into the nose. We are normally not aware of
this process because the osteomeatal complex channels to the nose are
completely permeable.

As histamine is released, mucosa of sinuses, the nose and
the osteomeatal complex become irritated and swollen, which prevents the mucus
within the sinuses from draining into the nose. Blocked sinuses will then result
in typical symptoms of facial pressure, pain or headache, which will last as
long as sinus channels are clogged. Other symptoms associated with alcohol-related
nasal congestion may include difficulty breathing through the nose, sneezing, a
runny nose or postnasal drip. Symptoms of alcohol-related symptoms are more
pronounced in people who have other nasal or sinus conditions, such as deviated
septum, allergic rhinitis or nasal polyps. In these people, certain procedures
(such as septoplasty, coblation turbinate reduction or polyp removal) can help
alleviate their problems.

Dr.
Sasa Janjanin is double European Board-certified in ENT and Facial Plastic
Surgery. He extensively trained in complete surgical and medical treatment of
patients with disorders and diseases of the head and neck. However, his major
expertise is in facial plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery; problems
related to thyroid and parathyroid glands; skin cancer; kid’s ENT problems; nose,
sinus and snoring complaints; and sport and diving-related ENT problems.